Automatically self-conforming fluid pressure reducer



Aug. 12, 1958 v 1 DA. Dow

AUTOMATICALLY SELF-CONFORMING FLUID PRESSURE REDUCER Filed April 1a.1955 United States Patent This invention relates to fluid pressurereducers and "moreparticularly to automatically self-conforming fluidpressure reducers through which an elongated body' passes in thedirection of its major axis between zones of different fluid pressures.

In the manufacture of filamentary articles having cov- *er-ingsofvulcanizable compounds disposed over a core, the compound is extrudedover the core, the sheathed core passed through a fluid filledvulcanizing chamber,

"then advanced directly to a fluid filled cooling chamber and thenallowed to emerge into the atmosphere. The apparatus and process for themanufacture; of articles ofthis type are described, for example, in U.S. Patent 2,642,622, issued June 23, 1953, to D. D. Jones. Asdescribed-in the above patent, it'is necessary to-provide fluid pressurereducers between zones in the mechanism in order to prevent the ruptureof the covers disposed on the core.

Since it is necessary to allow the fluid between zones to circulate, apredetermined space has to be allowed between the outer surface of thearticle and the edge of the orifice of the reducer. This space has to beincreased to allow lumps or agglomerations to pass through the reducersorifice. Since this space is fixed in accordance with the maximum sizeof the irregularities, a considerably larger amount of fluid betweenzones is lost than would be the case if the spaces were adjustedindividually to the particular size of each irregularity.

Since the liability of rupturing the covering over the core of thearticle depends on the rate of the reduction of the fluid pressurebetween zones, and on the necessity of making the space, between theouter surface of the article being advanced and the edges of thereducers orifice, greater than is required for the circulation of thefluid, this liability is increased over that which would occur if thespace could be made'variable with respect to the size of theirregularities.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved fluid pressurereducer for employment between zones of different fluid pressures inapparatus used in the continuous vulcanization of insulating compoundson a core.

It is another object of this invention to provide a fluid pressurereducer having improved fluid saving characteristics when employedbetween zones of different fluid pressures in apparatus used in thecontinuous vulcanization of insulating compounds on a core.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a fluid pressurereducer which, when employed between zones of different fluid pressuresin apparatus used in the continuous vulcanization of insulatingcompounds on a core, has improved characteristics with respect to theprevention of the rupturing of the covering disposed on the core.

These and other objects of this invention are obtained, in oneembodiment of the invention, by providing an automaticallyself-conforming fluid pressure reducer, for

Limited, Montreal, Queice use in apparatus used in the continuousvulcanization of define a central orifice, the finger plates beingurged, by

resilient members, into a closed position to form an orifice ofapredetermined size.

Abetterunderstanding of the invention may be obtained-by referring tothefollowing description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which like numerals refer to like parts, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the fluid pressure reducer embodyingthe invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the fluid pressure reducer shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 'is anenlarged view, in plan, of a fingerplate forming partof'the fluidpressufe reducer of the invention',

'Figs. 4 and 5 are side and end views thereof respectively, inelevation, of a finger plate forming part of the fluid pressure reducerof the invention; and

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal viewin elevation taken through a section ofan'apparatus, used in the continuous vulcanization of compounds on acore, in which fluid pressure reducers of the invention areincorporated.

Considering Figs. 1, 2, 3, '4 and 5 of the drawings, the fluid pressurereducer ger'ierally shown by the numeral 1 consists of a circularmountingplate2, having a central aperture 3, on which is mounted aplurality of finger plates 4 having their inner edge face 5 reduced inthickness, by overcutting and undercutting the face 5, at the selectedportions 6 and 7 respectively, the face 5 being bevelled to a sharp edgeso that when the plates 4 are assembled together, the selected portions6 and 7 are joined in overlapping and abutting relation, which permitsthe formation of a circular orifice 8 of a predetermined minimumdiameter through which an elongated body may pass. A sharp edged orificeis desirable since, as is well known, such surfaces have an optimumfluid leakage characteristic. The outer edge face 5 of the finger plate4 has a predetermined configuration the purpose of which will bedescribed hereinafter.

The finger plates 4 are pivoted on plate 2 by pivots 9 engaging plate 2through openings 10 and are spring loaded by springs 11 one extremity ofwhich is attached to the finger plates 4 by fastenings 12 and held inposition by elements 13 which are secured to finger plates 4 byfasteners 14. The other extremity of springs 11 is in slidableengagement with adjustable studs 15.

Considering Fig. 6, the reducers 1 are contained within a tubularelement 16 being separated therein so that expansion chambers 17 areformed therebetween.

In operation, while an elongated body 18 passes from one zone to thesucceeding zone through a series of fluid pressure reducers 1 in amanner as heretofore described, the reducers 1 expand and'contract witha snap action to permit any irregularities, such as lumps oragglomerations, to pass therethrough thus minimizing the leakage offluid between zones but causing a gradual reduction in pressure. Theremay be a plurality of series of reducers, if desired.

Since an irregularity comes into contact with the inner surfaces 5 ofthe finger plates 4 with a considerable force, the core of the body 18would be liable to be broken if the springs 11 were to exert too great aforce, against the expansion of the finger plates 4, in relation to thesize of the irregularity passing through the reducers 1. Therefore, inorder to avoid this possibility, the stud 15 of reducer 1 is adjustableso that the force to be exerted by the springs 11, which simultaneouslyslide on stud 1S and rock on the outer shaped edge face 5' of plate 4,may be selected to suit requirements.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatically expandable fluid pressure reducer conforming to anelongated body which passes therethrough in the direction of its majoraxis between zones of dilferent pressures comprising in combination amounting plate having a centrally located aperture, a plurality of rigidfinger plates individually pivoted near the periphery of said mountingplate, spaced apart around said aperture, each finger plate having aninner edge face thereat in abutting relation with a selected portion ofa similar face on an adjacent finger plate arranged to define a centralorifice of a predetermined diameter concentric with said aperture,individual resilient means in association with each of the finger platesfor urging the finger plates into closed relation with the elongatedbody a it advances through the orifice.

2. An automatically expandable fluid pressure reducer in accordance withclaim 1 in which a selected portion of an inner side face of each of thefinger plates opposite their pivoted ends is in overlapping relationwith a similar portion of an inner side face of an adjacent fingerplate.

3. An automatically expandable fluid pressure reducer in accordance withclaim 1 having in combination therewith means for adjusting the force ofsaid individual resilient means.

4. An automatically expandable fluid pressure reducer conforming to anelongated body which passes therethrough in the direction of its majoraxis between zones of different pressures comprising in combination: anannular mounting plate having a centrally located circular aperture, aplurality of elongated fiat rigid finger plates, each having a curvedouter edge face, individually pivoted at a point near the periphery ofthe mounting plate and spaced around the aperture and arranged so that aselected portion of the inner edge face and inner side face thereat ofone plate is in abutting and overlapping relation respectively with asimilar portion of an adjacent plate so as to define a central orificeconcentric with the aperture, individual resilient means clamped at oneof its extremities to the pivoting point of the finger plate, stationarymeans disposed on the mounting plate at the other extremity of theresilient means, the resilient means being arranged to simultaneouslyrock on the outer edge face of the finger plate and in slidableengagement with the stationary means.

5. An automatically expandable fluid pressure reducer in accordance withclaim 4 having in combination therewith: adjusting means in associationwith the said stationary means arranged to adjust the force of the saidresilient means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS250,287 Roberts Nov. 29, 1881 1,689,206 Lamplough Oct. 30, 19282,303,640 Hogg Dec. 1, 1942 2,458,162 Hagerbaumer Jan. 4, 1949 2,553,938Pierce May 22, 1951 2,579,098 Scofield Dec. 18, 1951 2,608,718 BerggrenSept. 2, 1952 2,642,622 Jones June 23, 1953 2,649,272 Barbato Aug. 18,1953

